New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has conducted independent drive tests across Delhi-NCR’s metro and rapid transit network, covering nearly 490 km, to assess the quality of mobile services that commuters get.TRAI did the tests in April to independently verify the on-ground performance of telecom networks for communication, work, entertainment and digital transactions during journeys. The regulator released its findings Monday, in which various network operators showed significant differences in performance.TRAI said the observations represent performance at specific locations and times of testing. The findings were shared with the service providers, TRAI said.A statement by the ministry of communications on June 15 said that the tests were conducted between April 1 and 4 and again on April 14 using live voice and data sessions on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. It evaluated coverage, call setup success rate, call drops, voice quality, download and upload speeds, among other things.On download speeds, Reliance Jio recorded the highest average of 141.28 Mbps on its 5G network, followed by Airtel at 81.72 Mbps. Vodafone Idea (Vi) registered an average download speed of 23.94 Mbps, while MTNL recorded 4.30 Mbps on its 4G network.On uploads, Airtel topped with an average speed of 25.98 Mbps, followed by Jio at 19.99 Mbps and Vi at 16.96 Mbps. MTNL recorded an average upload speed of 1.84 Mbps.The drive test also assessed network coverage by measuring instances where signal strength fell below prescribed thresholds. MTNL recorded the highest coverage gaps, with poor signal strength in 20,768 of 43,220 samples. In comparison, Airtel, Jio and Vi recorded coverage gaps in fewer than 3% of the samples collected.MTNL showed 51 dropped calls out of 346. Airtel reported five dropped calls and 491 successful calls, while Jio and Vi recorded eight and ten dropped calls, respectively.DMRC last overhauled its mobile network connectivity in 2023 while introducing 5G services in all its underground stations and tunnels. It had then stated that it had established infrastructure across its network, with telecom towers, small cells and in-building solutions, to improve mobile connectivity especially in the underground areas or within a building, up to 5G capacity.Small cells also help to boost mobile coverage in its nearby areas of about 100 metres. These cells are installed on the pillars of Airport Express line as it passes through the ridge and defence areas which generally have fewer towers, thereby impacting signal quality.DMRC officials said that upgrading mobile connectivity is an ongoing process and DMRC keeps improvising with appropriate directions to the telecom providers.
